I thought this was supposed to get easier...

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MMM

MMM

Member Since 2015
I've been doing this for eleven days now and am finding it harder. Not easier. At first I injected while Bailey was eating - then she went off her food. While it could be a coincidence, I was concerned she was making an association, so I took to injecting after she finished eating and had wandered away from her bowl. So now she's on to me about that and hides. Today she found a new hiding place tucked in under the laundry hamper. I coaxed her out with a piece of chicken and as she was eating that, I lifted her ruff. She cried and started pulling away, even before the needle touched her. I had to try three times to position it and it didn't "feel" like it went in. I felt around her fur (not easy as she had pulled away) and I didn't feel any moisture, but it is a small amount (one unit) and she had shook her head before I got her again so somehow I don't think I got it into her. This was the hardest time yet and I feel like I'm failing her. It would help if I could see improvement. I think her urine output is a bit less, but she's started to pee on the steps of her litter box once in awhile, so I have to pour a little bit of litter onto it to absorb it and then scoop it up later. Because it scoops up in little chunks, it is hard to compare. Monday was a day that she appeared to be in some pain, even after I gave her buprenophrine. This is so hard. Tomorrow I take her to a specialist and if the prognosis is hopeful, will be learning to use the monitor. If the prognosis isn't good, well that's another story. If I have this much trouble now, I can only imagine how hard it is going to be to get her to stand for my pricking her ear etc. I'm not really looking for advice here, I'm just a stressed out, sleep deprived, scared guardian. I don't know what the specialist is going to recommend tomorrow. I'm trying to be realistic but it is hard not to wish that she will say "We need to get her on this drug for the gallstones and that will clear everything else up. You can stop giving her insulin". I feel like the trust Bailey has in me is diminishing, and putting her into a carrier to take her to the appointment tomorrow certainly won't help. I know she is a cat and won't "remember" all this, but she can certainly tell time (hiding exactly around injection time). I know it hasn't been long, but I'm finding it hard to believe that this is ever going to feel "normal".
 
I'm so sorry you're struggling. When we started, people told me that their cats would come to them for testing. I was like "right." I'm pulling my cat out from under the furniture to test him, hoping that I won't dislocate his arms. Then I had to burrito wrap him in a beach towel so he couldn't move (pinned down his front legs to his chest) for about 2 weeks to master the art of testing. I never believed he would get over it.

But I continued to try with him, and after 2 weeks he developed more capillaries in his ears and VOILA, it did get easier.

We had 2.5 more years with him and I was grateful for every day.

It really does get better.

Try shutting her in the bathroom, feeding her on the counter if you have room. Always give her food or a treat after you poke her, either for a shot or to test her blood sugar.

I can't say it enough - it does get better. She hasn't resigned herself to it yet, but she will. Hang in there, and hang in here. There are all kinds of tricks and tips that people use to make it work, so if you have trouble with something, just ask. Here is one thread where people put in their best Shooting and Testing Tips. Maybe something there will help you! :bighug:
 
Thanks. Part of venting is that in addition to being frustrated, feeling like I am failing her, being sleep deprived, etc. is that I am worried about tomorrow. I would love for the specialist to say "Here is a treatment plan that will very likely give Bailey good quality of life" and that plan will not include more poking and stuffing meds down her throat (or against her gums) all of which she hates and resists. But I am afraid that she will say "Bailey needs this given orally and that given subcutaneously and such and such in her food" all of which don't go over well with her now, or worse, that the only thing that will help her is surgery. And that all of that will only "maybe" help her. Because I don't want to take a chance she goes through more pain and stress for a "maybe". Should that be the case, I will have to make a very difficult decision and that scares the stuffing out of me. Though if that is for the best, I will make that decision. So I'm a bit of an emotional wreck at the moment.
 
I load the syringe about 20 minutes before it is time, and I presume that one unit would warm to room temperature by then. A lady I know had two cats with diabetes in the past and she told me the first one could be done while he ate and barely seemed to notice, but her second cat fought it every time. Which did make me feel a bit better, as it is hard to not take it personally, hard not to think you're doing it wrong etc. But it is in part her disposition. She doesn't like to be confined and since she started pulling away from me, I've had to hold her in place, which makes her struggle more. But if I don't, it won't happen at all. Plus she's vocal. She has always whined for what she wants or in protest if it is something she doesn't want (like being shut out of my room at night) - her whines and cries just sound a lot worse these days. I know a lot of it has to do with my attitude, but it has been hard to not feel all the stuff I've been feeling.
 
I have a special treat that Snickers loves and she only gets it when she gets her shot or the ear prick. She will come to me for the shot but fights the blood test. The treat does not work with my hubby, though. She will not let him give her the insulin, That treat or something else she loves. We are switching insulin and are trying a new schedule that will insure I am home for every shot so hubby doesn't have to struggle anymore.
 
Been there....
Shadow hates her shots.... but she tolerates them. She tolerates them better when I have her favorite raw shrimp sitting in her bowl ..
she waits for me to shoot... ( and protests - with a meow) but I'm quick ( now ) and she gets her treat and nibbles it up.
I try to get her to cuddle more at times when it's not shot time... or test time....
and over time, she knows I'm trying to help her.
They sense that and your connection will become stronger as you go.

I think her skin is really sensitive to needles because it's not just the insulin, all shots are felt and noticed. ( can't sneak it in while they are eating
like some beans can)

One thing that can make a difference is to pay attention to where the bevel of the needle is.... you want it on the top... you want the longer pointy end going in first, it hurts more if it doesn't.... kinda of grabs, pinches...
and also it might help to pinch the tent just a little more..... the pressure is felt rather than the poke....

if you can find a special treat that only gets given at shot time.... that may help.
some cats love human canned tuna.... you can open a can... freeze several bites.... in small ziplocs or ice cube tray... and thaw them out when you
draw the insulin.....
if he likes tuna... that may at least get a little more cooperation....
 
Hugs sweetie. We all have our need to vent. With Fred, I found conditioning helpful. Offer food or treats. While he's eating, pull up the scruff. Take food away. Put food back. Pull up scruff and poke with the needle, with the cap on. Take food away. Put food back, while he eats, pull up scruff, shoulder etc, give the shot. After a few times, when ya give the food, treats etc, he will expect the shot.
Testing is easier. I rub his ear a bit, before I prick it, to get the blood flowing, then prick , test, wipe with cotton ball and smear antibiotic gel on and go. You can do it. Good luck..
 
MMM....I get why you are such a wreck because I do that as well whenever one of my babes are sick or stressed or waiting to see a specialist or surgery or whatever. It's like I'm trying to go through it FOR them.

First of all, you are NOT "failing her". She is being a cat and cat's are actually very intelligent. They figure things out very quickly and find ways to cope. Hiding is one of them. Don't we all wish that we could just hide with some things? ;)

Here's what works best for me (not perfect but, better than anything else I've tried).

I don't chase her around the house with needles. I know that's a recipe for disaster for her and me. She then gets the idea that I'm going to chase her and "get her" with the needle wherever she goes. There's just this "association" with never knowing when it's going to come and where so, it's like a constant state of fear that gets set up.

I insist on an area on a table where I put down a blanket for her to be on. I rub catnip into the blanket (unless your kitty gets crazy on it and has an adverse/reverse reaction to catnip like some cats do...they become vicious). Then, I put treats down on that blanket and I go get her, talk to her, sing....keep a soothing, calm voice (she doesn't know what you're talking about...only your tone of voice). I put her onto that table, give her the treats and give that shot where i can see and am not stooping under a table or behind the furnace in the dark, wondering if I got it in or not as I can SEE what I'm doing. (Even then, I've had fur shots...we all have!)

When I'm done the shot, I make it a special time where I praise her, pat her and she's usually chomping at the bit to get off the table so, I push aside a chair to let her know..."Yup...all done...you can go now" and usually get an angry meow out of her as she does as a bit of a spite but, she's happy it's done. She has a play area that she heads to, close to the table (even a cardboard box is a good thing for cats to go to) where I will give some catnip or another type of treat (she only gets the treats she loves when she's on the table, ready for testing and shots so that she associates being on the table with those lovely treats and as much as she protests being up there at first, she usually can't resist those treats that she ONLY gets THERE! That's important to remember)

I don't know when you'll read this but, remember that if there's a chance to save her life, it may be a pain in the you-know-where but, if it's not overwhelming for her to get pills and shots and tests and she won't be in pain...just remember that oftentimes, the things that we thought they should be put down for, clear up! :) Cats with diabetes CAN go into remission or at the least, get used to the shots and testings. Gallstones can be dissolved with meds and *IF* surgery is necessary, hey...what are the odds that she'll be fine after it? (Don't worry about the hospital time as they will keep her pretty comfortable with pain killers and sedatives that keep her very relaxed and comfortable...YOU will be the one they will need to sedate ;) ).

Wait and see what is said and don't make any decisions in haste or out of panic or worry. THINK about it FIRST. :)
 
Thanks all. It has been something like eight weeks of stress and sleep deprivation (back when she still had an appetite, she would wake me up at 4:00 a.m. - now she doesn't but the fact that she doesn't makes me wake up and want to get up and see if she's okay - sometimes I am able to go back to sleep, but sometimes I can't resist, so I get up and check). That, together with the disappointments and setbacks and bureaucratic foul ups are all catching up. I am simply exhausted, but keep carrying on. It would help if I could see improvement, but earlier this evening she slid off the end table that she's not supposed to be on, landing on her butt. I nearly had a heart attack as I wasn't expecting it - she's been strong enough to still jump up on things, although she did slid off the sofa the other day. But seeing her in pain its the worst. I have a day where she is cuddly and purring and I think - no, I have to keep going (as long as I can afford it). Then another day she seems to be in a lot of discomfort and I think - I can't have her continuing to go through this. I hope the internalist can tell me that the stuff involving her liver (there was evidence of inflammation, possibly due to the proximity of the stones) isn't going to progress and that we can get a handle on the other issues. I've looked her up online and she has very impressive credentials, so I think I can rely on her opinion. The last few weeks have been all about seeing this doctor, no decision will be made until then. I guess part of me is trying to see all angles, all possibilities so I am prepared for them. That's why, although I realize I may have to make that most difficult decision, I also realize I may instead be advised to carry on, which is why I've got the monitor and will be taking it with me to have it calibrated and be shown how to use it. It's why I phoned the compounding pharmacy to find out if they carry the appetite stimulant my vet recommended (they do but I want to wait in case I need to pick up other drugs there too, plus she has been eating again). It's why I halted the automatic payments to a retirement fund that I set up years ago so I have a bit more available cash to pay for all this. It really sucks that my property taxes are due at the end of the month, but I will make it work.

In the meantime, I appreciate the support. A lot. Thanks.
 
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I just read your first post, and I can say that I really feel your pain! I went thru the same stuff with Goof. But, it WILL get better. It took 2 full months before I felt like I'd "gotten the hang if it" and could sleep somewhat normally, which for me is only 6 hours anyway. I think everyone in this board has gone thru the same thoughts and feelings, so we're here for you. Too many times we feel we can't vent to our friends and family because we'd get the "you should just put the poor thing down" speech. But they don't understand how we feel about our fur babies, so feel free to vent anytime. I hope you'll take the time to post the results from the visit with the vet today! Sending hugs and prayers.

P.s. I get a lot of crap from my family about the money I spend on my pets, to them I say this, "I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't gamble, I don't eat out a lot, I spend my money on what's important to me, not to anyone else."
 
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It is nice to be understood, and I do have friends who get it, including a friend who lost her cat quite recently to kidney failure. Even my doctor, who is usually quite scientific and matter of fact, was kind and sympathetic (he used to have two sweet dogs at his office, but I haven't seen them in quite some time and they were getting old, so I suspect I was stirring up memories). No one is saying to me that I should put her down, but I would be naïve not to have that "conversation" with myself. I don't want to wait until she is so weak or in so much pain that she can't jump up on her tree or I have to keep her constantly doped up on barbiturates. That, to me, feels more like keeping her around for me, not considering her and her disposition, which used to be playful and cuddly. She is no longer playful and looks at me with suspicion (just wait until I get her carrier out in a few minutes - sigh). Now I realize this could all pass, which is why I haven't made any decision yet - but I do have to consider it.

As for the money thing - well I can only go so far that way as well. I have other financial obligations that have to be met and so there will be a point where I am going to have to say enough is enough. And while I have no need to justify what I have spent, I like how a non-pet owning friend of mine put it, when she pointed out that lots of people spend lots of money on their hobbies, and Bailey is my hobby. Of course, to me she is more than that, but it was a nice way of looking at it.
 
6 months in and some of it IS easier; testing, the shots etc. I'm lucky in that Oren is very tolerant and adapted easily to testing and the shots. What isn't any easier, and in fact is getting harder, is the not making much progress. Fighting vets. upping doses, slightly improving numbers sliding back to crap. New diagnoses of 'co-morbidities'. increasing costs, juggling bills, schedules, sleep. And yet every purr, every cuddle, every sweet rolling on his back and staring into my eyes keeps me going and will until it is beyond both of us. Some people get it and some don't. It seems my baby is not meant for the remission path, let alone good regulation and it makes me feel a failure. But I keep on keeping on and so long as he has quality of life (and I have the funds) I cannot do any less. Hugs and empathy to you, hoping for good report for Bailey. :bighug:
 
MMM...like everyone else....sending you good wishes and energies today. May you get the information needed to help and fingers crossed that you get some GOOD news! :)
 
Thanks all. I got the information I needed to make my decision, but it wasn't good news. Basically there is one large stone that on the one hand is so big it will never be able to enter and block a tube, but on the other hand could cause pain at times. The bigger problem is the large number small stones scattered throughout the branches of her liver. These can, and likely will cause problems, occasional blockages and flare ups of pancreatitis. Even removing her gall bladder will not solve this problem (even if she had the right temperament to endure time in the hospital). She could go months without a flare up, or have one tomorrow...and another one and another one etc. Drugs to dissolve the stones are not very effective. This specialist was just at a conference dealing with liver disorders, there is nothing new on the horizon, nothing really to be done. So I have made the incredibly painful decision I feared I would have to make. I believe it is better to release her from all this while she is still relatively comfortable, rather than waiting until another flare up occurs (which is a matter of will, not might). So in a few days, my vet will come and I will say goodbye to my sweet, playful, soft, furry little companion.

It has a lot to do with quality of life which has been diminishing for her. If she has pain I can see, since cats hid pain, I suspect she's had some that I haven't noticed for quite some time, and it is taking a toll. I can fight like anything to stuff things in her mouth, stick her with needles etc. and maybe improve things, but one bad gallstone attack and all that will be negated. My mother, with a high enough pain threshold that she once broke her foot and walked around on it for a few days because she didn't realize it was that bad, wound up in emergency for the pain when she had them. I can't take a chance my Bailey is going (or will go) through that kind of pain. Not just so I can have her with me for awhile longer. The specialist noted her demeanour as well, and we discussed how different animals can be when it comes to temperament and that in Bailey's case, she's not a good candidate for some of what could be in store for her (i.e. hospitalization, needing fluids, feeding tubes and the like). She was very supportive, which I appreciate. I have met some incredible people on this journey - not that I wanted to - including people on this site.

So thank you for all your support. If this had "only" been diabetes, or diabetes with the complication of pancreatitis, I would continue on, and your support would be invaluable. But it is just one issue too many. The weather forecast for the next few days is sunny and warm, so she's going to have her sunbeam. I'm going to cook some more chicken for her and just "be" with her the next few days. It is the logical, right, most compassionate decision, even though it really, really hurts. But having her in my life has been worth it.

Thanks again everyone, and goodbye.
 
It is never easy to make that decision. We understand how difficult this is for you. But you know what is best for her and her quality of life. We never want to see our pets suffer.

(((HUGS)))
 
MMM, I realize you might not see this, but my heart is breaking for you. I have been there, unfortunately several times, and most of the time, I waited too long, and they had no quality of life, because I was being selfish and didn't want to let them go. Love on Bailey for the next few days, and know you are doing the right thing. I just have always wished that we didn't have to make that decision. (((hugs))))
 
So very sorry MMM; enjoy your days with Bailey; you did not fail her, you are her greatest champion. She knows that and I hope you will ease your hurt and loss in the coming time w/ all your good memories of her. It is the hardest thing we do, and the greatest gift to free them from their failing bodies. Be gentle with yourself too. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Like everyone else, not sure that you will see this but, sending you hugs on a very difficult decision but, knowing that you know better than anyone what is best for Bailey given all that you've been told. I wish that there had have been better news but, given what the prognosis is, I see where and why you'd come to this point for both of your sakes.

HUGS and wishing you well. Nice meeting you...though I wish none of us had the reason that we have to have met.
 
A short while ago I said goodbye to my precious, gentle, playful, sometimes mischievous companion, Bailey. She has been freed from any pain she may have been currently experiencing, and the pain and suffering that were very likely in her future has been prevented. For that I am grateful. I am also grateful that she spent most of the day curled up in my lap, had a bit of time in a sunbeam and got all the cooked chicken she wanted, along with some formerly illegal cheese. Not a bad day for her, I hope. I will miss her terribly, I already do, but I am so glad I had her in my life for these past seven years. Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated.
 
I'm so sorry that it was Bailey's time to go ahead. And I have so much respect for you being able to make the decision to let her go before she finished up in more pain - that is the greatest gift you could have given her and you gave it willingly to prevent any more suffering for her. I'm glad that you were able to have those last few days with her to spoil her and love her and let her have her time in the sunshine and I'm sure she'll send you a sign to let you know that she's happy and free from pain waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge. :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
I'm sitting here in tears for you as well. May Bailey be your cat guardian angel and may you feel her around you in joy and playful watching over you.
 
I`m saddened to learn about the loss of your precious Bailey. Fly free, little one cat_wings>o Send Mama a sign from the Rainbow Bridge that you`re there, running free of pain through fragrant meadows with all your new friends who have gone there before you.
 
Im so sorry for ,but you did the right thing.
I almost put Foxie to sleep,she looked so horrible,but thanks to my Vet and you guys I chage my mind only
Because she was diagnosed with just diabetes and I was told that she can be better.
She looks better and I know she does not suffer,I will never ever let her be in pain.
She is my first cat and for the last 15 years she was and is magnificent ,She pee on the floor and I'm exhausted ,but
I hope she will get better.
We do have 7 more and love them dearly.
In the past I had to put to sleep my 2 dogs one after 17 years and one after 14.
I remember the pain of that to this day.
Promised not to have any more animals and after 2 years this magnificent red fuzzy cat appeared on my door steps.
You now know the rest.
So I do understand you very well and I'm very sorry.
 
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